How to Migrate to AppsOnAir's CodePush Service?

By Samarth Sheth

Last Updated: 7/03/2025

With Visual Studio App Center shutting down on March 31, 2025, developers relying on CodePush for over-the-air (OTA) updates need a smooth migration plan.

AppsOnAir provides a drop-in replacement for CodePush, allowing you to continue pushing real-time updates with minimal effort.

Follow this step-by-step guide to migrate your CodePush implementation to AppsOnAir quickly and efficiently.

Step 1: Install the AppsOnAir CodePush CLI

Start by installing the AppsOnAir CodePush CLI tool globally:

Using npm:

npm install -g @appsonair/codepush-cli

Using Yarn:

yarn global add @appsonair/codepush-cli

Step 2: Set Up Your AppsOnAir Account

Sign in to the AppsOnAir Portal.
Create a Workspace – This is where you'll manage your apps and deployments.
Add your App – Give your app a name to set it up for CodePush updates.

Step 3: Generate New Deployment Keys

1. In your app settings, navigate to the CodePush section.

2. Authenticate your AppsOnAir CodePush account.

3. Click Generate Deployments, this will create:

A deployment key for Android

A deployment key for iOS

4. Copy the generated deployment keys and server URL – you’ll need them for the next step.

Step 4: Update Your Deployment Keys

Replace your existing CodePush keys with the new AppsOnAir deployment keys.

For Android: Update strings.xml

<resources>
    <string name="CodePushDeploymentKey">NEW_APPS_ON_AIR_DEPLOYMENT_KEY</string>
    <string name="CodePushServerUrl">https://codepush.appsonair.com</string>
</resources>

For iOS: Update Info.plist

<key>CodePushDeploymentKey</key><string>NEW_APPS_ON_AIR_DEPLOYMENT_KEY</string><key>CodePushServerUrl</key><string>https://codepush.appsonair.com</string>

Pro Tip: Ensure these values match your actual deployments to avoid debugging issues.

No SDK Changes Required! 🎉

AppsOnAir CodePush is a drop-in replacement for App Center CodePush. Your existing integration remains intact, simply update the deployment key and server URL, and you're good to go! 🚀

For React Native < 0.76, use react-native-code-push.

For React Native >= 0.76, switch to @code-push-next/react-native-code-push.

Step 5: Authenticate with AppsOnAir CodePush

Run the following command in your terminal to log in:

appsonair-codepush login

A browser window will open. Authenticate your account, copy the access token, and paste it into the terminal.

Verify your login:

appsonair-codepush whoami

Step 6: Deploy an Update

Once set up, you can now release an OTA update using AppsOnAir CodePush.

For Android:

appsonair-codepush release-react workspace-app-android --target-version 1.0.0

For iOS:

appsonair-codepush release-react workspace-app-ios --target-version 1.0.0

If everything runs smoothly, congratulations! 🎉 You’ve successfully migrated to AppsOnAir.

Migrate Now & Avoid Last-Minute Rush

The March 31, 2025, deadline may seem far away, but delaying your migration could lead to unnecessary stress.

AppsOnAir CodePush offers:

Minimal migration effort – No changes to your update logic.
No vendor lock-in – Maintain full control of your updates.
Same familiar workflow – Works just like CodePush, but it's better.

Why wait? Start your migration today and ensure a seamless transition! 🚀